"The worst torment is the loss of love."

I loved this book so much. Eilish Quin has crafted a beautiful debut novel and I cannot recommend it enough if you love Greek mythology and witches, especially if you've read Euripides' ancient Greek tragedy of the same name. This is such an excellent feminist retelling of one of the most infamous and complex figures in Greek mythology. The writing is captivating and engaging, and the plot just draws you into the story with ample description and character development. Absolutely loved it.

Overall, I very much liked this novel. Quin masterfully wove and retold a narrative that reclaimed Medea's story making her more sympathetic to a modern audience. Seeing her story through her eyes shows that it's the storytelling of men that warps narratives to their advantage. I just wish that some of the characterization was a bit clearer. Was Medea supposed to be seen as asexual, just under the influence of a lover's arrow? Was she neurodivergent in some way, and that's why her thought patterns seemed so out of sync with those around her? Obviously, Jason is an abusive partner, but is him seeming caring in the beginning just him lovebombing or did he actually care for Medea?

US pub date: 2/13/24
Genre: mythological retelling
Quick summary: Mythological figure Medea has been defined by her relationship with Jason - here's the true story behind her life.

Mythological retellings are having a moment. Fun fact: There is more than one book titled Medea publishing in 2024.

I have not read the other (and maybe there are even more that I haven't heard of?), but I did enjoy this one. If you only know Medea from Jason wronging her, there's so much more to her story. I loved the outsider/witchy elements from her childhood. The darkness picked up in the last 50%, and I was totally there for it.

Thank you to Atria Books for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Medea (ARC)
Eilish Quin
4⭐️

Pub Date: 2/13/2024

From the beginning, it showed how Medea's different from the rest of her siblings. She had her own perspective on things especially love. The book started off generally with introductions/lineage and just setting the scene. There's pretty detailed pharma stuff throughout which are all fascinating but skimmable. The plot picks up and gets better at about 30% of the book when there were more events happening. The writing style is good and didn't really feel like dragging at all. But it is a man's and god's world! Medea's life, even as a princess, was just tragic. She could've been so much more, and could've become a really good witch but her situation just didn't allow her to be one. It puts the hero Jason and the other men in a different light. One that exudes tyranny and betrayal through and through.

Quin didn't change much of Medea's original tale but the she definitely enhanced the story. It gives insight into the inner workings of Medea's mind. It showed how the villains that we typically know of in the myths to have been abused by gods and men, and given limited choices ultimately affecting their actions.

When it comes to Greek mythology and feminist retellings, I find it difficult to look away. I’ve been looking forward to reading a retelling of Medea, who I consider one of the most complex and fascinating characters in Greek mythology and I’m glad to say that debut author Eilish Quin’s retelling of Medea’s story does not disappoint!

Granddaughter of Helios, Titan god of the sun, Medea was born to the sorcerer King Aeetes of Colchis and Oceanid nymph Idyia. The novel follows Medea through her formative years, growing up in Colchis with her older sister Chalciope and younger brother Phaethon for whose care she assumes responsibility after their mother returns to the sea despite the prophetic visions and the sense of foreboding that had prompted Idyia to distance herself from her daughter. Her relationship with her father is complicated. Aeetes oscillates between complete disregard for his daughter and disdain for her wild ways unlike her more demure and lady-like sister, and begrudging acknowledgment when he realizes she possesses a gift for knowledge not unlike his own or his sister, the powerful sorceress Circe, which prompts him to agree to help her in the study of the art of Pharmakon- the power of herbs and flowers. But Medea goes a step further and hones her skills in private, fully aware that her father would never allow her to experiment as she does, leaning toward darker practices. We follow her through the years as she meets Jason and the Argonauts on their quest, a turning point in her life that brings with it an opportunity for freedom from her stifling life in Colchis, love, marriage, chaos, betrayal, grief and a shocking act of revenge that earns her the reputation of one of the most maligned and vilified characters in Greek mythology.

Medea by Eilish Quin is a captivating novel and an impressive debut. Beautifully written and vividly descriptive with a fluid narrative, I thoroughly enjoyed the feminist take on Medea’s story, especially the first half of the novel set in Colchis. The narrative is shared from the first-person PoV of our protagonist. Medea’s willfulness, intellect and desire to learn, her enterprising nature and the risks she takes render her a compelling character. Those familiar with Medea’s story are aware that there are elements that are upsetting and needless to say some scenes might be difficult to read but the author manages to portray the “archetypal femme fatale, a mother, a sorcerer, a sister, a murderess” as a dutiful daughter, a loving mother and a faithful wife to a husband who does not appreciate all she has done for him. Her pain, her rage and her grief are palpable and despite everything we know about her, the reader would find it difficult to not feel a certain degree of sympathy for her and this is where the author succeeds in humanizing the scorned witch we read about is different versions of the myths. Having said that, I thought the author exercised considerable restraint in exploring the darker side of Medea’s story and I would have enjoyed the novel even more had Medea’s darkness been explored beyond necromancy in the second half of the novel. Given this is a feminist retelling and though she is mentioned once in the context of the Argonauts, I also would have appreciated Atalanta’s presence in the segments featuring the Argonauts, but I respect the author’s choice to have omitted the same and this point did not influence my rating.

Do read the Author's Note where she discusses her love for Greek mythology, her take on the characters from the myths and her inspiration for this novel.

Overall, I found Eilish Quin’s Medea to be a compelling read that I would not hesitate to recommend to fans of Greek mythology and/or feminist retellings/reimaginings of the same.

Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Medea is a sorceress, a cunning woman, and an enchantress. She is also a murderer but what is her story? Medea by Eilish Quin tries to reimagine the story of this Greek princess who was of divine descent.

Medea plays a huge part in the lives of Jason and Argonauts. She is talented, powerful, and intelligent, but her being a woman, her power doesn't mean anything. She is subject to the whims of her father and later her husband. Greek mythology calls Medea a witch, and she is despised. In this reimagination , the author has done an amazing job of building this powerful woman's story.

I really enjoyed this book. In some parts, this book is gruesome because of Medea's story. The author's afternote at the end is something that a reader should not miss. Greek mythology or, for that matter, any mythology features powerful women but misunderstood due to their portrayal by men. Medea's life is no different. Medea's life can be seen in parallel to many happenings in today's world. Any reader who loves Greek mythology will like this book.

I am a SUCKER when it comes to myth retellings, especially Greek myths, so I was absolutely ecstatic to be able to review Medea by Eilish Quin!

Quin manages to add a twist to the centuries old tale that left me hoping that maybe, just maybe, her story won’t end in the same way as it has before while still keeping the core themes of sexism, misogyny, and xenophobia that make the story what it is. Their words transport you to ancient Colchis where you can almost smell the ocean and a note of something more primal as you watch Medea grow from a neglected daughter to one of the most powerful and feared witches in her lifetime.

Medea asks what you would do for and what you would do to the ones you love if there was even the slightest chance it could make a difference. Perfect for fans of Madeline Miller, Jennifer Saint, and Natalie Haynes!

All in all, this book is probably one of my top books of the year and I will be recommending it to anyone and everyone.

The Rise and Fall of Medea

If you are familiar with Medea's myth, you know it's a terrible story with a trail of bodies. It is hard to love her after learning what she did.

Eilish Quin tried to explain de motives behind those actions. While it's still gruesome and irrational, you begin to understand Medea a little bit better. Often blinded by her emotions, her impulsivity and her overconfidence in her powers, she chooses violence to get out of situations.

Half of the novel is spent exploring Medea's childhood and how it influenced the person she became up until she met Jason. That's when sh*t hits the fan! It's one bad decision after the other. Her decisions force her into uncomfortable situations that end up hurting her even more. You feel for Medea but you also wish to shake her and say "get a grip!"

It was compelling and I couldn't stop thinking about this book when I wasn't reading it. She's such a flawed morally grey character but that makes you like her in some way.

I loved every page of it!

Happy Publishing Day! Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

Medea....misunderstood or monster?
This novel follows the young Medea from growing up fairly isolated on the island of Kolchis with her cruel, domineering father and her often absent mother. Learning at a young age that her world doesn't necessarily accept powerful women. As she grows stronger in her sorcery gifts, including necromancy she chafes under the restrictions of her sex. To the arrival of Jason, her chance at a life beyond her father's control, and her journey with the Argonauts. Until finally that awful decision she makes that now somehow defines her, child killer.

I have always loved Greek mythology and as I have gotten older the interest has continued and strengthen. I love that Greek myths are being shared and that the women are often now getting the focus. Medea has always fascinated me in her portrayals. Eilish Quin does an excellent job of retelling and expounding on the narrative. Especially for a debut novel, she has a strong voice and uses her prose to capture the feelings of her characters. While I did find the book a bit hard to start, as I continued the prose flowed and carried me with Medea as she navigated the world. Please do yourself a favor and read the author's note at the end of the novel. It really cements the author's choices and for fellow lover of greek myth a chance to bond. I look forward to reading more from this author.

PS-Thanks for including the dragons!

I have been a fan of Greek mythology since I first discovered D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths when I was a kid. And the myth of Medea is one that has always caught my imagination.

The story of the enchantress Medea is written in the blood of her brother and her children. And yet, there is more to the story than that.

This was such an intense read. I know the story of Medea well, and yet I still found myself gasping and holding my breath at stressful moments. We get such a great interiority of Medea’s thought process. It’s easy to understand the circumstances that drove Medea to make the choices she did, abhorrent as they may be.

I loved the inversion of what we expect out of a hero. I’ve never been a fan of Jason, and to see an interpretation of him that leaned into his oath breaking and his violence was affirming. Not to make even more of Medea’s story about him, but I do wish we could have seen her reaction to how Jason’s story ends.

And I would have liked a little more follow up on her interactions with the goddesses. Both Aphrodite and Athena work to set Medea on her path, and I would have liked some resolution on that end.

But otherwise, this is ranking almost up there with Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati for my favorite Greek retellings.

Thank you to both NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to review this arc.

Medea by Eilish Quin is ethereal with just a hint of darkness lurking beneath the surface. Told from Medea's perspective in beautifully descriptive language, we learn the story of Greek mythology's infamous kinslayer. Quin made the story come alive. She shows us again and again how Medea strives to overcome adversity, sometimes to her own detriment.

I am both appalled and understanding of Medea's actions. She reacted to her circumstances in the only way she knew how. With Medea, Quin gives us a poignant take on a woman's attempt to control her own destiny. The story was engaging enough to keep me wanting to read more, and I look forward to reading what Eilish Quin writes next.

I especially appreciate the author's note at the end. Her love for mythology and Medea's story shines evident. This is my first mythology re-telling, and I am on a quest to read more!

Read this if you like:
• Ancient history fiction
• Mythology  retellings
• Woman overcoming adversity
• Beautifully written, engaging story-telling

Available February 13th! Many thanks to Atria Books for the digital copy!

This is a well-written retelling of the story of Medea and the physical book looks to be truly lovely. A great addition to a personal library for sure!

4.75/5 Greek myths

Medea is a retelling of the story of Medea, a sorceress from Greek mythology. It is Quin’s debut novel.
The writing style is beautiful, very descriptive and evocative without being too pretentious. The story is woven beautifully, and Quin does a wonderful job at creating a backstory for Medea that feels plausible, especially with so few official sources for Medea in mythology.
I thought Quin did an excellent job at handling the serious topics in mythology (incest, sexual assault, etc.—content warnings at the end of my review).
The one issue that I had was that Medea acts so unlike a child—despite being a child for the first half of the book—that I kept forgetting she was one. There was a time jump later in the story where she shifts from child to adult, and it was nearly impossible to tell there was any change in her person.
Truly, this book was an excellent retelling and I look forward to seeing what Quin writes in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

CW: sexual assault, incest, animal death, child death, death, physical/emotional abuse

Medea by Elish Quin is a compelling and intriguing portrayal of Medea. I enjoyed the prose and project of this book. Great debut. I look forward to reading more by this author.

While this wasn't my favorite mythological retelling, I didn't know much about Medea's story and it was interesting to learn what her life was like and the way she helped and was betrayed by Jason of the Argonauts. It was also fun that the author made Medea into a sorceress/witch. Good on audio and recommended for fans of authors like Jennfier Saint and Madeline Miller. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

Quin’s Medea joins the current renaissance of retellings that recast the stories of maligned or ignored women from Greek mythology. Redeeming Medea, who killed her children when her husband Jason wanted to remarry, is perhaps the hardest challenge.

Quin’s novel portrays Medea’s difficult childhood as the daughter of a Naiad who ultimately preferred the sea over her children and the cruel King Aeetes, who only wanted a son. Aeetes commands various magics. For a time, he teaches them to Medea, and she continues training herself. When Jason comes seeking the golden fleece, she has impressive powers. Equally influential on Medea’s development is a prophecy her immortal mother tells her. In response, Medea conducts endless magical experiments.

From this set of circumstances, Quin develops a version of Medea’s story that aims at winning the reader’s sympathy for Medea and remaking the notorious witch into someone likeable and emotionally compelling. Quin retains the traditional events and persons of the myth, while fitting in new elements to transform the reader’s perception of Medea’s motives and heart.

The childhood chapters are satisfying and draw the reader to Medea. In later chapters, some readers may have a harder time sympathizing with Medea’s actions and her justifications for them. Quin occasionally brushes aside some significant emotional hurdles, character shifts, and plot complexities. Additionally, there are a few anachronistic slip-ups scattered through, such as “waiting seven minutes” and “rocking manically.” The regular use of the word “hummed” instead of the standard “said” as a dialogue indicator distracted from the tale rather than added.

However, overall, the exploration and reworking of this most reviled woman’s inner world is compelling and well worth reading. Quin earns respect for her rich portrait of Medea. Highly recommended.

I love a mythological retelling that upends what we know of maligned female characters of the Classical world. Medea is just that... a witch, a murderess, a kin-slayer, leaving a trail of blood in her wake.

Yet, in Quin's rendition, Medea emerges as a tragic figure, a woman navigating a society dominated by men, where her choices are severely constrained. Despite this, she boldly embraces the power of her gifts, including her necromancy, and seeks to navigate the prophecies of the gods.

I would say, if you know the backstory of Medea, this would enrich your experience and be more revelatory as you get the inner workings of Medea's mind: the choices she makes, the actions she takes and the consequences she faces. Quin also unveils the complexities of her character, revealing her 'unnaturalness' and her unique understanding of love. She also cleverly parallels Medea's downfall with that of her male counterparts, underscoring the theme of hubris.

Quin brought depth and personality to Medea from a female perspective which I greatly admire. The writing was beautiful boarding on verbose with Medea having a hefty vocabulary at a young age. While I appreciated the alternative viewpoint, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to uncover, particularly regarding the prophecies delivered to her by the three female deities and her ultimate purpose on earth. Additionally, I found Quin's subversion of the Greek hero archetype intriguing, as she exposes the self-absorbed tyranny that may have lurked beneath the surface of these revered figures.

If you like Circe and are a fan of mythological retellings, this may be for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books & Eilish Quin for an advanced e-copy of this book. Coming to you Feb 13th 2024!

Medea by Eilish Quin was an atmospheric, beautifully fluid retelling.
I really got into this Greek mythology story.
Quin’s writing is compelling and I was immediately hooked.
A vivid, immersive, expansive tale that was a spellbinding piece of literature.
This novel is engaging and well researched in a way that will have you wanting to read more.

Thank You NetGalley and Atria Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I went into this blind. Medea’s story is not one I’m overtly familiar with however I enjoy Greek mythology and the comparisons made to Circe by Madeline miller did lure me to this.
However, this felt extreme slow and I found I would rarely feel drawn to read it.
I think it’s for those familiar with the story (and know what to look forward to) and/or those more intrigued by Greek mythology.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free copy!]

Rating: 5/5 stars

A feminist reimagining of the story of Medea, one of the most complex and reviled women of mythology.

In my freshman English class in college, I was assigned a Medea retelling (BY THE BOG OF CATS) and I absolutely devoured it and never looked back. The story of Medea is one of my absolute favorites—dark and devastating and captivating and thought-provoking. This version of Medea’s story was, consequently, one of my most-anticipated releases of the year, and it lived up to all of my expectations.

Eilish Quin handles Medea’s story with subtlety, nuance, and grace, spinning a tale of someone who is both a victim and a survivor of her own destiny. It is easy to envision Medea as cold, cruel, and heartless, but Eilish’s version—a woman who feels too much, cares too deeply, and loves more fully that she even realizes—is the portrait this complex figure (and we, as readers) truly deserves. I was also astounded at the deft handling of the character of Jason, another complicated figure in his own right. Medea’s journey to understand her husband and her realizations along the way gave me actual chills.

Finally, the Circe cameo was everything I ever wanted it to be, and very nearly made me cry.

If you enjoy mythology and retellings, please please read this one!

CW: Blood/death/violence; animal death